History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 85

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 85

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B. W. Smith and C. G. Lewis commenced in the fuel business under the firm name of Smith and Lewis, in the city of St. Paul, in the year 1866. Owing to the small amountof capital they had to commence business with, they labored im- der many difficulties at first, but by perseverance, economy, and strict attention to business, they finally succeeded, after several years hard work, in building up a business which now ranks sec- ond to none of its kind in the city. They were the first parties to commence the cutting and get- ting out of wood along the line of the St. Paul and Duluth R. R., and were for several years large shippers of wood on that road. In the year 1876 they made a contract with the North Wis- consin R. R. Co. for the transportation of one thousand cars of wood a year. Since that time they have purchased large tracts of timber, and built and operate two stores, and employ during the winter season some two hundred men, and from 50 to 75 teams in cutting and hauling wood. In addition to the wood business they com- menced handling coal, some four years ago. their sales for the first year amounting to about 500 tons; have now increased to an aggregate of 5.000 tons a year. They also handle large quan- ties of baled hay.

There are a number of dealers in wood in the city, prominent among them, John Dowlan, who has a very extensive business, office located on Wabasha street, corner of Fifth. IIaycock and Company, at 65 Robert street, are also among the leading wood dealers.

In former years, large quantities of wood came down the Minnesota river, and the trade was one of large proportions. Since the building of the numerous railroad lines leading to St. Paul, nearly the entire wood supply has been trans- ported by rail.

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SAINT PAUL -- BIOGRAPHICAL.

CHAPTER LII.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Everton J. Abbott, M. D., was born at Milan, Erie county, Ohio, in 1849. Attended the West- ern Reserve College, at IIudson, Ohio, and grad- uated with the degree of M. D. from the medical department of Wooster University at Cleveland, in 1875. Was resident physician at Cleveland Charity Hospital in 1875-'76. During June of that year, he came to Minnesota, locating at St. Paul, where he still practices his professsion.

Capt. Wm. Acker, deceased, was born at Clyde, Wayne county, New York, on the 5th day of De- cember, 1833. When about three years of age, he removed with his parents to Jackson county, Michigan. They subsequently moved to Kala- mazoo, and afterwards to Detroit. In these por- tions of Michigan, most of his boyhood was passed, although he spent about two years at An Arbor, attending school. He received a good commercial education, and was for some time en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. In the spring of 1854, he came to St. Paul, where he had a sister residing, the wife of Hon. Edmund Rice, and en- tered the law office of Rice, Hollinshead and Becker, where he remained for one year. He afterwards, for about two years, held the position of book-keeper in the banking house of Marshall and Company. Young Acker early developed a decided taste for military matters, and devoted much of his leisure time to the study of works upon military science. In 1856, he took an ac- tive part in organizing the Minnesota Pioneer Guards. At the first election he was selected to fill the position of fourth sergeant; he was subsequently elected a lieutenant, and July 13th, 1858, was elected captain. On March 19th, 1860, Governor Ramsey commisioned him adjutant general of the state. There was then no regular militia organization in the state, excepting four independent companies, and Captain Acker set himself to work to devise a plan by which this state of things could be improved. His efforts were successful, in that several new companies were organized and a better discipline made to prevail.

During the exciting campaign of 1860, he took an active and prominent part, bring captain of the St. Paul company of "Wide Awakes." When the proclamation was issued calling for volun- teers to make up the regiment that had been of- fered to the president by Governor Ramsey, Ad- jutant General Acker was among the first to raise a company. IIe afterwards resigned his com- mission as adjutant general and devoted his time to his company. His commission as captain of this company was dated April 29th, 1861.

On July 21st, 1861, Captain Acker at the head of his company participated in the battle of "Bull Run" and narrowly escaped with his life. The visor of his cap was struck by a ball, and he was knocked down insensible The wound, though painful was not serious. August 8th, 1861, he was commissioned captain in the Six- teenth United States Infantry Regiment. IIe was placed on recruiting service and ordered to St. Paul. From there he was ordered to St. Peter, and from there to Watertown, Wisconsin. Dis- liking the recruiting service, at his request he was allowed to join his regiment, then stationed at Munfordville, Kentucky. IIe remained with the regiment on active service until the time of his death, which happened at the battle of Pitts- burg Landing, where a ball entered his fore- head, causing instant death. He was buried on the battle field near the old Shiloh church, but his remains were subsequently removed by his father to St. Paul and deposited in Oakland cem- etery. His funeral was probably the largest ever witnessed in St. Paul, At the time of his death, he was a member of Landmark lodge, A. F. and A. M., and also of Minnesota Royal Arch Chap- ter. His funeral obsequies were under their di-" rection, and the impressive rites of the order were observed. He was in life, "loved, almost adored by his company" and few young men in the service had brighter chances of promotion, upon merit, than he.

The St. Paul Pioneer of May 6th, 1862, in an editorial says: "No casualty of the war has caused more sorrow to the citizens of St. Paul than the death of -Captain William Henry Acker, and from the time the startling news was made public, there has been a general desire to honor his memory."

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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

Colonel Alvaren Allen was born in Morristown, St. Lawrence county, New York, September 25th, 1822. In 1837, he moved with his father to Wis- consin, locating on a farm near Fort Atkinson, where he remained five years, then went to Beloit, and attended the high school in winter, and drove team summers for ten dollars per month, thus paying for tuition and clothing. He then clerked in a large retail store for two years. In 1848 went to Milwaukee, and remained there until the spring of 1851, in a jobbing house. That year he left for the Mississippi Valley, and found, on arriving at Dubuque, Iowa, that the tide of immigration was setting towards Minnesota. HIe accordingly took passage on the steamer Ex- celsior, captain Ward, for St. Panl, where he arrived on Friday, in the midst of a rain storm. The following Sunday he, with his wife, drove to St. Anthony, and, halting on the hill now known as University hill, viewed the Falls for some time. Mrs. Allen said: "This looks like home, suppose we call it home," to which he consented. They then drove to the Saint Charles, the only hotel in the town, then kept by Anson Northrup, who would hang a string of Indians, or annihilate a stage driver, as a little amusement before break- fast. The question was, what shall we do for a living? It was settled in the following manner: On Monday a guest of the house wanted a con- veyance with which to go to St. Paul, and Mr. Allen loaned him his, for the use of which he received a five dollar gold piece. The next day the horse made two trips, adding ten dollars. Mr. Allen then said: "Wife, I've struck it; livery is our business." After obtaining four horses and three wagons his bank account was ex- hausted. He then added veterinary practice. The first patient was a mare owned by Captain John Rollins, that had been sick a week, and was apparently lifeless. He obtained the privilege of treating her and with the assistance of by-stand- ers, removed her to his stable. She fully re- covered, and he received a fee of five dollars. The next patient was a horse from the stable of George Thompson, in the last stages of disease. Mr. Allen treated the animal successfully, and received as fee, fifty dollars. Thus, his reputa- tion was established. By strict attention to his business, and keeping out of speculations, he had in five years, a stable of fifty horses and the

necessary outfit of harness and carriages. In June, 1856, he bought of Patterson, Benson and Ward, their stage' line and mail route from St. Anthony to Crow Wing, afterward sold one-half interest to C. L. Chase, then a banker at St. Anthony. They soon after bought the stage line from St. Paul to St. Anthony, for which they paid $21,000. In 1859, in connection withı Bur- bank and Blakely, owners of the North-western Express line, they stocked the line from St. Paul to LaCrosse, Wisconsin. During the winter of 1859, while in LaCrosse, Mr. Allen overheard the plans of a party of stage men, to buy out all the stage routes leading to St. Paul. He at once returned and informed his partners of what he had heard, and they immediately consolidated the stage line with the North- western Express, appointing J. C. Burbank general manager. They then bought all the mail routes at a less price than the others intended. The agent of the opposition company, found on his arrival in St. Paul, that the "Minnesota boys" had captured all the routes. After a hard fight for one year, and a loss of $75,000, they gave up the contest, leaving the field to the old company. Many amusing incidents occurred during the time the war was at its height; one we narrate: The opposition party sent for an experienced stage runner and shipped up a Jew, named Haines. The evening after his arrival Col. Allen came in and found him soliciting passengers; after watch- ing his operations a few moments, he approached and asked a number of questions, among which was, "Where is your hand organ and monkey?" The Jew flew into a rage and denied having one, to which came the reply, "Yes, I saw you in Du- buque, playing a hand organ, with a very intelli- gent monkey collecting the pennies." The Jew was enraged and wanted to fight; the joke becom- ing known among the "boys" the Jew left the town and Minnesota. Col. Allen followed stag- ing until 1869, then railroading until 1873, when he bought Mr. Shaw's interest in the Merchants hotel, St. Paul, where he still remains. The hotel is so well and favorably known that comment is useless. IIe was the second mayor of St. An- thony, in 1856. He was elected member of the St. Paul city council without opposition, in 1877, and still continues in office. He was married January 15th, 1851, at Kenosha, Wisconsin, to

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SAINT PAUL-BIOGRAPHICAL.

Louisa J. Sowles. They have had four children, two living: George H. and Jolin Ehle.

F. J. Allen was born at Greenfield, Saratoga county, New York, in 1857. He started in the railroad business in 1875, as clerk of freight office, and November 1st, 1880, succeeded A. S. White as agent for the Merchants Despatch Transportation Company at St. Paul. This com- pany is the outcome of the old American Mer- chants Union Express company.

John H. Allen was born in Galena, Illinois, June 24th, 1838. He was educated at the public schools, and in 1855 settled in Chicago. Until locating in St. Paul, in 1865, he was engaged in the drug trade. On locating here he became a partner of the late P. F. McQuillan, in the whole- sale grocery trade, in which he still continues, at 43, 45 and 47 East Third street. In Chicago, June 15th, 1871, Miss M. A. Glassbrook, of Bos- ton, became his wife. Ilarry G., Marion J., and Florence, are their children. During the rebel- lion Mr. Allen was a member of the United States Zouaves, commanded by Colonel Ellsworth, the first officer to fall.

William Leonard Ames,deceased, was born July 9th, 1812, at Plymouth, Massachusetts. His father was Oliver Ames, the manufacturer of the noted "Ames shovel," and his elder brothers, Oakes and Oliver Ames, were the projectors and builders of the Union Pacific railroad. Before coming to St. Paul, in 1852, he was engaged in the manufacture of iron, at the Franklin Furnace, in Wawayanda, in the northern part of New Jersey. Upon his arrival in St. Paul, he purchased land in and about the city, and entered into manufacturing and agricultural pursuits. It is probable, in con- nection with his endeavors to improve the stock interests of the state, that he was, and is, best known, many of the best animals now in the state, owing their origin to the "Ames herd." Owning, as he did, the largest and best stocked farm in Ramsey county, leaving at his death such a superior herd of short horn cattle, that at the state fair, in 1873, it took nearly all the prizes offered for that class of cattle ; and some of his stock was shipped to California buyers. He was very public spirited and generous; and though devoting most of his attention to agriculture, he was also a promoter and encourager of many lau- dable enterprises in the city and throughout the

state. He was one of the original proprietors of the town-site of St. Peter, Minnesota, and presi- dent of the State Agricultural society, in 1863. In the city of St. Paul, he was a member of the Board of Education, in 1856-'7, one of the organ- izers of the Chamber of Commerce, a corporator and one of the first directors of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad company, president of the Home Insurance company, afterwards merged into the present St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance company, one of the first stockholders in the St. Paul Gas company, and the St. Paul Dispatch Printing company. He was elected, in 1872, as a state delegate to the Cincinnati national conven- tion, being a firm and earnest supporter of Hor- ace Greeley. Although at the time unwell, he made the trip there and back, and thereby, no doubt, hastened his death, as he died, after a lingering illness of nearly a year, February 8th, 7873, in his sixty-first year. He was a man of fine social qualities, and had a mind and tastes exceptionally pure. IIe entertained with liber- ality, and his home was one of superior attrac- tions, both social and otherwise,

J. II. Amos was born in Indiana, in 1853; came with his parents to St. Paul, in 1857. His father was a stone mason, and for two years worked at his trade in the city. IIis son received his edu- cation in the city, and learned cigar making witlı F. W. Thuschelt, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He then engaged in that occupation nine years, for Fetsch Brothers. He is now in that business for himself, at 81 West Third street. Married at St. Paul, February 9th, 1881, to Miss Carrie E. Dony.

Charles A. Anderson, son of Absalom L. and Catherine A. Anderson, was born at Rondout, Ulster county, New York, September 22d, 1849. IIe was educated at College Hill military school, at Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1865, went to sea, and served on board the frigate Sabine, also on U. S. steamer Piscataqua, afterward named Delaware, under Admiral Rowen, in the Asiatic squadron. Subsequently was connected with the steamboat Mary Powell, on the IIudson river, plying between New York and Kingston, of which his father, A. L. Anderson, is captain and owner. He served in the Twenty-fifth New York, light battery, under General Banks, in Louisiana. Previous to coming to St. Paul, September 26th,

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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

1880, was traveling through Mexico, Texas, Cali- fornia, and on the frontier. He is at present em- ployed by the St. Paul Water Company.

William Anderson, a native of Denmark, was born in 1859. Here he was educated in his native language, and in 1874, came to America, locating at Lanesboro, Minnesota. He finished the jew- eler's trade, also acquired an education in the English language, remaining there over four years. Came to St. Paul in June, 1878, and attended St. Paul Business College, at the same time, during his leisure hours, worked at his trade for H. J. Hansen. After being a traveling sales- man a short time, embarked in the jewelry busi- ness, being now located at 227 East Seventh street.

Albert Armstrong was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, March 18th, 1825. He resided in his native county until May, 1857, having held the office of clerk of district court three years prior to 1856. Moved to St. Paul in 1857, and for two years acted as deputy state treasurer, under his brother, George W. Armstrong, who was first state treasurer of Minnesota. Was deputy county treasurer, under Robert A. Smith in 1863, and elected clerk of the district court in 1865, whichi. office he held twelve years. Since then he has been in the real estate and commission business, office at 116} Jackson street. Married at New Lisbon, Ohio, in February, 1853, to Jane McCly- monds, by the Rev. J. B. Graham. They have one son, B. W., aged twenty-five years.

Dr. Francis Atwood was born in Franklin. Massachusetts, August 20th, 1846. Graduated from Exeter Academy in 1864; from the aca- demic departmentof Harvard college in 1869, and from the medical department of the same'institu- tion, in 1873. After serving one year in Boston city hospital, and passing a year in study in Eu- rope, he located at St. Paul. His specialty is diseases of the eye and ear. He is a member of the Boyleston Medical society, and was its vice- president in 1872-'73, also member of the Massa- chusetts State Medical society, and the Minneso- ta State Medical society. He is author of an article on ophthalmology in the transactions of the Minnesota Medical society of 1866-'67. He holds the position of surgeon to the Eye and Ear Infirmary of St. Paul. In 1876 married Miss Emma, daughter of Samuel Calhoun, of St. Paul.

Maurice Auerbach is a native of Prussia, and

is of German parentage. His education was re- ceived at the public schools of his native place; and he had also some experience in the dry goods trade. In August, 1857, he came to America, and in December of that year located at St. Paul. For one year he was clerk for D. J. Justice and the next year for his successors, Justice and Forepaugh. In 1860 he became a partner with the firm name of Justice, Forepaugh and Com- pany. The year following the firm changed to Forepaugh and Company. In 1868 he began bus- iness with G. R. Finch and Charles Scheffer, and continued in the dry goods trade under the firm name of Auerbach, Finch and Scheffer, until the death of Mr. Scheffer which occurred in 1875. The firm then changed to Auerbach, Finch, Culbertson and Company, January 1st, 1881, the present firm of Auerbach, Finch and Van Slyck was formed. In 1872 Mr. Auerbach was one of the originators of the Merchants' National Bank of St. Paul, and was its president until January 1st, 1880, when he retired on account of declining health.

General John T. Averill, of the firm of Averill, Russell and Carpenter, was born at Alma, Maine, in 1825. When thirteen years of age he accom- panied his parents to Montville, Maine, where the remainder of his boyhood days were passed. Graduated from Wesleyan College in 1866, and for a short time followed teaching, then engaged in lumbering one year. He then removed to Winthrop, Maine, and engaged exclusively in mercantile business three years. In 1852 went to northern Pennsylvania, and followed lumbering five years. In 1857 sought a western home, locat- ing.in Lake City, Minnesota, and gave his atten- tion to mercantile and grain business until 1864 or 1865. During that time served as state sena- tor in 1858-'59-60. Enlisted in the Sixth Minne- sota Volunteer Infantry in 1862, and was made lieutenant colonel; engaged in the Indian cam- paign two years; was promoted colonel in 1863, and the next year was appointed provost marshal of the state and chief mustering officer and super- intendent of recruiting service. In June, 1865, was promoted to brigadier general, and was mus- tered out at Washington the same year. Return- ing to Lake City, he disposed of his interests and the following year came to St. Paul and engaged in the present business. In 1868 was made a

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SAINT PAUL-BIOGRAPHICAL.

member of the national committee, in which he served twelve years; was elected to congress in 1870 and 1872; was member of the committee for the nomination of Fremont at Philadelphia. At Montville, Waldo county, Maine, in 1848, he was married to Miss Hannah E. daughter of Judge Samuel Atkinson. Their eldest daughter, Emma A., married Hon. H. H. Stowell, ex-member of congress, now secretary and treasurer of the At- las Paper company at Appleton, Wisconsin; it was formerly the Rock River Pulp and Paper company, with General Averill as its president. Mary E. and Anna M., who still reside with their parents are also their children.

August Baer was born in Baden, Germany, June 12th, 1843. He lived with his parents Fred- erick and Mary Baer, till 1856, then came to America. Lived in Detroit, Michigan, till 1871, when he came to St. Paul, having since made this his home. In April, 1875, he was appointed on the police force by Mayor Maxfield, and has since performed his duties with credit. At De- troit, Michigan, December 26th, 1865, he mar- ried Miss Minnie Ringwald. They have five children, all living.

G. Bahnemann, a native of Germany, was born in 1850. Came to the United States in 1868 and located in Dodge county, Wisconsin, on a farm where he remained one and one-half years. In December, 1869, he came to St. Paul. Farmed five years, then engaged in the grocery and liquor trade until 1880. He has since opened a sample room at 439 Jackson street. Married at St. Paul in 1872 to Miss Tena Siebert. Carl. Lula and George are their children.

Andrew O. Bailey was born in Lowell, Massa- chusetts, October 15th, 1842. When he was fourteen years old his parents, Roderick and Charlotte Bailey, moved their family to Dunn county, Wisconsin, where the father died April 11th, 1879, at the age of seventy-four years. Mr. Bailey began the fur trade in 1864. His first visit to St. Paul was in 1868, and in 1875 he went to London, England, for the purpose of making some arrangements with C. M. Lampson and Company, for an extensive export fur trade with that city. He has been one of the most success- ful fur traders on this continent, and has built up his trade on his own energy and merits. Mar- 1

ried Charlotte A. Mellon, of Dunn county, Wis-

consin, April 1st, 1862. William G., Vinnie I., L. Frank, Birdie B. and Lottie L. are their chil- dren.

John A. Bailey, of the firm of Doran and Company, wood dealers, also a conductor on the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba railroad, is a native of Ontario, Canada, born in 1841. During the early part of his life was principally engaged in stock dealing and fur trade. In 1867 he came to St. Paul, his first year being spent in the em- ploy of J. J. Hill, as agent in the wood trade, on the main line of the St. Paul and Pacific railroad. In 1869, began as brakeman on the same road, also filled the position of baggage-master. Was made conductor on a freight train in 1870 run- ning four years. During the summer of 1874 was conductor on passenger train between Minneapo- lis and St. Paul, then went on the branch line of the Manitoba til! 1877. The next year he was engaged in the wood business in St. Paul, also entered the employ of Griggs, Johnson and Rhodes, in the wood and merchandise trade. In Marclı, 1881, he again began as conductor of pas- senger trains on the Manitoba line, running from Fargo to St. Paul. June 1st, 1881, he, with F. B. Doran, formed the firm of Doran and Com- pany, and have done a prosperous business since. September 8th, 1862, he married Miss Frances Sinnott, of Ontario, Canada. Their children are John F., Mary A., Ada A., and Lydia.

W. F. Bailey, proprietor of the St. Paul Brass Works, was born in New Hampshire, in 1832. Learned the trade of brass moulding in Low- ell, Massachusetts, afterwards traveled through the West and South, till 1861; then went to Iowa and enlisted in the Twelfth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, for three years, but was discharged, in 1862, on account of declining health. Coming to St. Paul, he erected a foundry and machine shop, remaining till 1868, then closed out the business and went to California, and remained one year. Returning to St. Paul, he opened a brass foundry, in 1869, and in 1871, added to it an iron foundry, located on Cedar street, between Sixth and Sev- enth. In January, 1878, sold his interest, and in company with Mr. Hatfield, the firm known as Hatfield and Company, composed a portion of the present establishment. The firm existed till 1879, when he purchased his partner's interest, being now sole proprietor. The main building is

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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

25x30 feet, used as the foundry, and the addition, 18x30, is the finishing department. At Brain- erd, Minnesota, in 1874, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Ella J. Thorne.

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